Selective dispatch and automatic deflector control



Feb. 26, 1935. M J ANDERSON 1,992,687

SELECTIVE DISPATCH AND AUTOMATIC DEFLECTOR CONTROL Filed Aug. 16, 1930 5Sheets-Sheet l /N VEN TUE MET/N J1 ANDERSON 5y uf, EMI ,mw

4 TTOENE YS Feb. 26, 1935.

M. J. ANDERSQN SELECTIVE DISPATCH AND AUTOMATIC DEFLECTOR CONTROL FiledAug. 16, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVf/vToe MART/N J ANDERSN 3y OGM/uf l/wqA 7' Toe NEYS Fla. 6 l@ Feb. 26, 1935. M, J, ANDERSON 1,992,687

SELECTIVE DISPATCH AND AUTOMATIC DEFLECTOR CONTROL Filed Aug. 16, 1950 3Sheets-Sheel 5 O lf3; /N VEN-roe MART/N J: ANDERSON Patented Feb.26.1935

UNrrEo STATES PATENT OFFICE ssLEc'rivs DISPATCH AND AU'roMA'rIcDEFLEc'ron coN'raoL Application August 16, 1930, Serial No. 475,713

18 Claims.

This invention relates toa conveying system provided with means forautomatically selecting and deilecting commodities from a main conveyerto a selected branchconveyer and presents certain improvements over thestructure disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 433,999,filed March 7, 1930.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a conveyingsystem including means for selectively deflecting commodities from amain conveyer to a branch conveyer, the said means being operated by asingle marker or sticker carried by the commodity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a conveying system withdefiectors for deiiecting commodities froma main conveyer to a selectedbranchv conveyer, the said defiectors being rendered operative orinoperative through the actuation of photo-electric cells responsive tolightreflecting means carried by the commodities to be deflected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system of the characterset forth in which a separate photo-electric cell and amplifying unit isemployed to render the deflecting means inoperative.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as abovedescribed in which each deflecting station is provided with a pair ofphotoelectric cells, one for latching the deflector and the other forunlatching, the said photo-electric cells being mounted at differentelevations.

A further object of the invention `is to provide a conveying system withdeectors which are rendered operative by a series of electric currentimpulses produced by the actuation of photoelectric cells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a system of thecharacter set forth with automatic selector switches responsive to apredetermined number of electric current impulses for actuating aselected deector.

' .y Other objects of my invention and the advan- A' tages thereof willbe more fully brought out as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated, by way of example, apractical embodiment of my invention; but it is to be understood that Ido not intend to limit myself to the details of construction thereindisclosed. It will be readily apparent that the invention is susceptibleof embodiment in a variety of forms without sacricing any of itsadvantages or departing from the scope thereof as dened in the appendedclaims.

(Cl. ISS-@38) In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a section of a main conveyer showing a branchconveyer, a deector in position to deflect commodities to said branchconveyer, and the arrangement of the apparatus for actuating saiddeflector;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure disclosed in Fig. l;

Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive are views in side elevation of a commodityshowing the light-reflecting means or stickers positioned thereon in anumber of different ways;

Fig. 7 is a.wiring diagram showing the main and secondary circuitscontrolling the operation of the deflector and attendant mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram of a photo-electric cell unit and a selectorswitch. i

I have deemed it unnecessary for the purposes of the present applicationto disclose in the drawings a complete conveying system. I have,therefore, only shown a section of a main conveyer with a branchconveyer leading therefrom, together with the deflector for deflectingcommodities from the main conveyer to the branch conveyer and themechanisms for actuating the said deiiector. It will be understood thata complete system may include a number of main conveyers all leadingfrom a dispatchers station and that each main conveyer may be providedwith a plurality of branch conveyers. At each branch conveyer there willbe a dei-lector and delector operating mechanism exactly as shown in thepresent drawings. Therefore, a description of one such unit will serveto make my invention entirely clear. For a disclosure of a completeconveying system, reference is here made to my aforementioned copendingapplication.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 0 indicates asection of a main conveyer which may be of the gravity type or liveroller type, or a combination of these.

The reference numeral 11 indicates a branch conveyer leading from themain conveyer 10 and to which commodities may be deflected bymeans of adeflector indicated by the general reference numeral 12.

The defiector 12 comprises an arm 13 which is secured to a post 14freely rotatable in anti-friction bearings supported in a part of theframe work of the main conveyer. It will be understood that thismounting is such that the deflector will at all times tend to occupy theposition in which it is shown in Fig. 1, that is to say, across the mainconveyer and in position to defleet commodities to the branch conveyer.For

this purpose the defiector may be over-balanced or suitably weighted, orsprings may be provided which will constantly urge the deilector intothe position described.

When commodities advancing along the main conveyer reach the branchconveyer, the deiiector 12 will be swung about its pivotal mounting bythe commodities, unless the commodities are to be deflected to thebranch conveyer, in which case the deflector will be latched againstswinging movement.

The present invention is, as has been indicated, directed to means forlatching and unlatching the deflector. Generally speaking this isaccomplished through the agency of photoelectric cells which, uponreceiving light impulses reflected from the commodities, will completecert'ain electric circuits for operating the deector latch.

Referring now to Fig; 2, the reference numeral 15 indicates a deiiectorlatch which is mounted upon, or which forms part of, a core 16 of asolenoid 17 secured in a suitable frame 18. The ar- 'rangement is suchthat when the solenoid is energized, the latch 15 will be movedvertically into position in back of the deilector and thus prevent thelatter from swinging about its pivot. When the solenoid is deenergized,the latch 15 drops to a position below the deflector thus permitting thelatter to be freely swung about its pivot by the commodities advancingalong the conveyer to some succeeding station.

The solenoid 17 further actuates a switch 19 comprising movable contactmembers 20 and 21 which make contact with iixed contact points 22 and 23respectively, for a purpose hereinafter to be fully pointed out.

The circuit for energizing the solenoid 17 to actuate the latch 15includes a photo-electric cell 25 and an accompanying illuminatingdevice 26 supported on frame work 27. The position of the cell and theilluminating device is clearly indicated in Fig. 2 and is sufficientlyin advance of the deiiector to assure actuation of the deilector latchbefore the commodities reach the same.

The solenoid 17 is de-energiz'ed by a circuit which includes aphoto-electric cell 28 and an accompanying illuminating device 29mounted upon the frame work. 27. Electrical connections 30 and 31connect the photo-electric cells to amplifying and relaying unitsinclosed in suitable casings 32 and 33. The amplifying and relay unitsare identical in operation to similar ,de-

vice describedin my aforesaid co-pending application and one such unitwill hereinafter be described in detail in connection with amodiiication of the present system hereinafter referred to as theimpulse system.

It is unnecessary for the purposes of the present application todescribe in detail the construction and arrangement of thephoto-electric cells and the accompanying illuminating device. Thesestructures are fully described in my aforesaidI co-pending applicationto which reference i's here made for a complete disclosure thereof. Itis suiiicient here to state that these cells and illuminating devicesmay be of any preferred furthermore, the cells may be adjusted torespond only to a selected color.

It is further to be understood that where I herein use the expression"different colors" I do not necessarily mean different fundamentalcolors; obviously the photo-electric cells may be so adjusted as torespond to dlierent shades of the same color.

The photo-electric cells 25 and 28 are actuated by light reflecting fromthe commodities to be conveyedand to be deflected in the system. Forthis purpose the commodities are provided with markers or stickers of aselected color, one color for actuating the photo-electric cell 25 tolatch the deiiector and the other color for actuating the photo-electriccell 28 for unlatching the deilector. By reference to Fig. 3, theposition of the colored marker or sticker with respect to the commoditywill be quite clear. In that figure, the reference'numeral 35 indicatesa commodity which is provided with a colored sticker or marker, theupper section 36 of which will actuate the latching photo-electric cell25 and the lower section 370i which will actuate the unlatchingphoto-electric cell 28.

In the operation of the system, it will be understood that the section36 of the colored markers or stickers will bear a different color foreach deflecting station in the system and each photoelectric cell 25 isso adjusted as to be responsive only to a selected color. The color ofthe section 37 of the sticker will be the same for all deectingstations. Hence, all the deflectors will be unlatched when a commoditypasses the photo-electric cells 28, except that one deiiector the cell25 of which will respond to the color of the section 36 of the sticker.

It is understood, of course, that each deecting station will be providedwith photo-electric cells 25 and 28 similar to those described and thatin each instance the unlatching cell 28 is placed in advance of thelatching cell 25 and, as disclosed in Fig. 2, at a lowerelevation.

To increase the number of deiiecting stations in the system the relativeposition of the latching and unlatching cells may be reversed and theposition of the sections of the colored stickers or markers similarlyreversed. Thus. in Fig. 4 I have illustrated a commodity 38 bearing acolored sticker the upper section 39 of which will be effective tooperate an unlatching photo-electric cell similar to the cell 28 and thelower section 40 operative to actuate a latching photo-electric cellsimilar to the cell 25.

With the stickers or markers arranged on the commodities in the mannerdisclosed in Fig. 3, the colored sections 36 might be made in ninedifferent colors thus providing nine deflecting stations in the system.Then, by reversing the position of the stickers as shown in Fig. 4, ninemore stations could be added, thus making a total of eighteen deilectingstations possible by the ect commodities without employing a latchsimilar to that herein described. For example, the deiiector may beconstructed to slide across the main conveyer or to move in other waysinto deflecting position and to be heldin such position without the useof a latch such as the latch 15.

Hence, it may be stated that the function of the photo-electric cells 25and 28 is to render the deiiectors operative or inoperative to transfercommodities from the main conveyer to a branch conveyer.

The deiiector is provided with a switch comprising a movable contact 46carried by the deflector and a pair of relatively fixed contacts 47 and48, as shown in Fig. 1. The purpose of this switch will presently bepointed out.

With the system, as thus far described, it will be clear that only onecolored sticker is required for each consignment of commodities and thissticker will be placed on the first commodity of the consignment. In myaforesaid co-pending application, the system therein described requiredthe placing of a colored sticker on the first and last commodity of eachconsignment. In the present system the deector will be latched when thefirst commodity of a consignment actuates the latching photo-electriccell 25 and the deflector will remain in latched position until the rstcornmodity of a succeeding consignment unlatches the deflector byactuation of an unlatching photoelectric cell 28.

Assuming that a consignment of commodities is passing along the mainconveyer to some distantdeecting station beyond that illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, it is understood, of course, that suchcommodities will hold the deflector 12 in its inoperative position.Suppose, then, a consignment of commodities which is to be deflected tothe branch conveyer 11 approaches the defiector while it is held open bythe commodities of the preceding consignment. It is evident that somemeans must be provided for retarding the progress of the secondconsignment until the last commodity of the rst consignment shall havecleared the defiector and the deilector has been permitted to swing backto its position across the conveyer before it can be latched in thatposition. For this purpose, I have provided a stop which consists of ashort section of gravity conveyer 50 which is pivoted at 51 to a fixedsection 52 and which is provided with suitable counterweights 53 formaintaining the pivoted section 50 in normal elevated position.` Inorder that this pivoted section may function as a stop, it is providedwith means for depressing it below its normal elevated position so thatcommodities advancing along the pivoted section will stop against theadjacent end of the succeeding xed section of the conveyer. To depressthe pivoted section, I have provided a solenoid 54, the core 55 of whichis connected, as by a link 56 to the forward end of the pivoted section.When the solenoid 54 is actuated, the core 55 will be drawn downwardlywith the result that the pivoted section 50 will swing about the pivotpoint 51, against the action of the counterweights 53, and thus theforward end of the pivoted section will be below the adjacent end of thenext succeeding fixed section. Hence, commodities advancing along saidpivoted section will abut against the fixed section and will be therebyprevented from making further progress. The actuation of the solenoid 54and resultant operation of the pivoted section 50 is such as to retardprogress of a succeeding consignment for a time sufficient to permit thedeiiector 12 to swing back to normal position across the main conveyer.Thereupon, by means fully described in connection with the wiringdiagram hereinafter referred to, the pivoted section is restored to itsnormal elevated position thus permitting the commodities to continuealong the conveyer.

Assuming now that the deector is latched in the position illustrated inFig. 1 and is therefore operative to deflect commodities to the branchconveyer 11 and a succeeding consignment of commodities destined to somesucceeding station in the system is advancing behind the consignmentbeing deflected. The rst commodity of `such succeeding consignment willcarry a colored sticker-which will Aactuate the unlatching photoelectriccell 28 but if this succeeding commodity is too close to the precedingone, there will not be suilicient time for the unlatching of thedeiiector. Hence, I have provided means which will retard the progressof the succeeding consignment untilv the deilector is unlatched. Forthis purpose, two rollers 60 and 61 are provided with corrugatedportions 62 which are adapted to be engaged by a corrugated brake-shoe63. The brake-shoe 63 is secured to the core 64 of a solenoid 65 mountedon a suitable frame 66. When the solenoid 65 is energized the core 64will be elevated thus bringing the brake-shoe 63 into engagement withthe corrugated sections 62 to stop rotation of the rollers 60 and 61 andhence, to retard the progress of commodities along the conveyer.

The circuit for the solenoid 65 includes a switch 67 which is providedwith a movable contact 68 secured to the axis of a roller 69 which isnor- 'mally held in elevated position with respect to the other rollersof the conveyer, as shown in Fig. 2. When a commodity depresses theroller 69, the switch 67 will be closed, thus completing the circuit forthe solenoid 65. The structure thus described is set forth in moredetail in my aforesaid co-'pending application to which reference ishere made.

The operation of the structure described may best be understood when setforth in connection with the wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. 7'. Inthis ligure, the reference numerals 70 and 71 indicate incoming powerlines. The reference numeral 72 indicates a relay forming part of theamplifying and relay unit 32 which is actuated by the photo-electriccell 25 and the reference numeral 73 indicates a similar relay formingpart of the amplifying and relay unit 33 which is actuated by thephoto-electric cell 28. The primary circuit, as shown by the heavy linesin this figure, includes a contactor switch 74 and is traced as follows:From 75 through the contactor to 76, through the movable contact 46 ofthe switch 45, to 47, through suitable line protectors 77, through thesolenoid 17, to 78, and back to the line 7l at 79. If the deflector isin open position, the movable contact 46 will make Contact with 48, thusmodifying the primary circuit as follows: From 75 through the contactorto 76, to 46, to 48, through the solenoid 54, to 78, through thecontactor to 79 of the line 7l.

The secondary circuit is traced as follows: Beginning at 75 on theincoming line 70 the circuit is through the coil 80 of the contactorswitch 74, to the switch 19 which is now closed by the engagement of thecontacts 20 and 22 to the relay 72. When the relay 72 is energized thecircuit is closed across the same from 81 to 82 and back to the line 71at the point 79. Thus, the contactor switch '74 is closed, therebyclosing, simultaneously, an interlocking switch 83.

It is to be understood that the relay 72 is only momentarily energizedwhen a sticker of the proper color passes the aperture of thephotoelectric cell 25 and is immediately deenergized thereafter.However, the secondary circuit is still intact as follows: From 75through the coil 80, to 84, through the time interlocking switch 83, toa time interlock switch 85, to 82, and back to line 71 at the point 79.By this arrangement the contactors of the switch 74 will remain closeduntil the circuit is open by the time interlock switch 85.

' With the contactors of the switch 74 closed, the primary circuit iscomplete through the switch 45 and the solenoid 17 which is to beenergized and the deflector is therefore latched in closed position. Thedeflector will remain latched until it is unlatched by the action of thephoto-electric cell 28.

It is to be noted that when the core of the solenoid 17 was movedvertically to position the latch behind the deector, the contacts 20 and22 of the switch 19 were opened and the contacts 21 and 23closed. Thecontacts 21 and 23 remain closed so long as the deiiector is latched andthus so alter the circuit as to permitthe unlatching of the defiectorseveral seconds after the relay '73 is actuated. Starting now at point75 of the incoming line 70 another circuit will be observed from theright of said point to the terminal 86 of the electromagnetic coil 87 ofa megnetic switch 88, to a terminal 89 of said coil, to the terminal 90of a time interlock switch 91, to the terminal 92 of said switch, to thecontact 23 of the switch 19 and across said switch to terminal 93 of therelay 73. If now the relay 73 is closed by actuation of thephoto-electric cell 28, the circuit will be closed across said relay to94, to 95, and back to terminal 79 of the incoming line 71. Thus, thecircuit is completed through the magnetic coil 87 of the switch 88,energizing the said coil 'and thus closing the contactors of the saidswitch when the photo-electric cell 28, which is the unlatching cell, isactuated. The circuit is now complete from 70-75-86-89-90-92-23-93-96-97-95-and back to 79 on the other incoming line '71. This circuit,therefore, holds the contactors of switch 88 in closed position. 'I'hesecontactors will remain closed for several seconds as determined by thesetting of the interlocking switch 85 which will open the secondarycircuit and de-energize the magnetic coils of switches 88 and 74, thusallowing these switches to drop open.

The foregoing description of the wiring diagram will, it is believed,make clear the operations of latching and unlatching the deflector bythe actuation of the photo-electricfcells and 28. I will now describethe circuits for operating the pivoted section 50 of gravity conveyerand also the corrugated brake-shoe 63.

If the deector is held open by a consignment of commodities passingalong the conveyer and the first commodity of a succeeding consignmentapproaches the deilecting station where it is to be deflected, thecircuit will be as follows: From 75 on the incoming line '70 through thecontactor of the switch 74 to 76, to 46, to 48, through the solenoid 54,to 78, and through the contactor to 79 of the line 71. When now therelay 72 is actuated by colored sticker, the magnetic coil 80 of theswitch '74 is energized thus closing the contactors and completing thecircuit through the solenoid 54.

.This solenoid, as hereinbefore explained, operates to depress thepivoted section 50 to such a point that the commodities travelingtherealong will abut against the first roller of the adjacent end of thenext succeeding fixed section of the conveyer. The commodities will beso held against further movement only long enough to permit thedeilector to swing to its normal position across the conveyer thusbreaking the contact at 48 and making contact at 47. Thereupon thecircuit is complete through the solenoid 17 which operates the latch.

As has been explained, the corrugated brakeshoe 63 operates to stoprotation of rollers 60 and 61 when a succeeding commodity destined tosome distant station approaches the deilector which is held in latchedposition. The circuit for the solenoid 65 which actuates the corrugatedbrake-shoe is as follows: From 76 on the line 70, to terminal 98 of acontactor 99 of the switch 88, to the other terminal 100 of saidcontactor, to the switch 67, through the solenoid 65, back to 78, thencethrough the contactor to 79 of the line '71. When a sticker of theproper color to actuate the relay '73 passes the aperture of theunlatching photo-electric cell 28 the circuit through the magneticswitch 88 is completed as hereinbefore described. This will close thecontactor 99. When now a commodity passes over the floating roller 69 toclose the switch 67 the circuit is complete through the solenoid 65 andthe corrugated brakeshoe 63 is thereupon actuated. It is understood thatthe brake-shoe remains in engagement with the rollers until thetixne-lnterlock switch 85 opens which, thereupon, 4allows all theswitches to drop open.

l As a further modification and to add to the system still a greaternumber of deflectlng stations I may employ what I shall herein refer toas an impulse system". That is to say, the relay 72 for latching thedefiector will operate not by a single current impulse produced by amarker or sticker of a selected color, but, on the other hand, by aseries of impulses produced by a series of similarly colored markers ora series of spots of the same color on a single marker. In Figs. 5 and 6I have illustrated a commodity bearing stickers of the type justreferred to for imparting a plurality of light impulses which will beconverted intoelectrical current impulses for actuating the relay 72. InFig. 5 the commodity is designated by the reference character 110 whichis provided with a latching sticker or marker 111 provided with aplurality of spots 112 suitably spaced thereon and all of the samecolor. The reference character 113 indicates an unlatching sticker ormarker which, as in the case of the embodiments heretofore described,will be of the same color for all `the deectlng stations. The number ofspots 112 will be determined with reference to the station to which itis desired that the commodities bearing the sticker shall be conveyed.For example, the system may include five defiecting stations, eachoperated by a different number of electric current impulses. Thus.station No. 1 would be operated by five impulses; station No. 2 by fourimpulses; station No. 3 by three impulses, etc.

Further to increase the number of deflecting stations in the system, thestickers or markers shown in Fig. 5 may be reversed so as to occupy theposition shown in Fig. 6. In this latter figure, the reference numeral114 indicates a commodity which carries an unlatching sticker or marker115. The reference character 116 indicates a latching sticker or markerwhich is provided with a plurality of light reflecting spots 117. Withthe stickers arranged as in Fig. 5 it is understood that the unlatchingphoto-electric cells will be positioned at an elevation below that ofthe latching photo-electric cell; whereas, with the stickers arranged asin Fig. 6 the unlatching photo-electric cells will be positioned at anelevation above that of the latching photo-electric cell.

It is possible further to add to the number of deiiecting stations byvarying the colors of the light reflecting spots on the stickers 111 and116. Thus, a series of five stations may be operated when the lightreflecting stops on the stickers 111 and 116 are all red, a second setof iive stations could be operated when these spots are all of the colorblue, and so on.

Considering now the commodities with stickers arranged as in Fig. 3 andassuming that nine different colors, or shades of different colors mightbe used for the stickers 36, then nine deecting stations might beoperated by so'arranging .the stickers. By reversing the stickers, asshown in Fig. 4, another series of nine stations could be added to thesystem. Then, by incorporating the impulse system, with the stickersarranged as in Fig. 5, five more stations could be added; and byreversing the arrangement of the stickers, as shown in Fig. 6, ve moredeflecting stations could be added tothe system. It is further possible,as above pointed out to add stations by changing the color of the lightreflecting spots on the stickers as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Thus, itwill be seen that a system of conveying and deilecting commodities asherein set forth is exceedingly flexible and consequently may beinstalled whether the required number of deiiecting stations be verysmall or relatively large.

The impulse system may best be understood by reference to Fig. 8 inwhich I have shown, diagrammatically, an amplifying and relaying unitsimilar to the unit 32, hereinbefore referred to, in combination with aselector switch which operates to close the circuit across the terminals81 and 82 of Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. 8, the reference numeral 25indicates the latching photoelectric cell, which includes alight-sensitive element 120. When light shines upon this element a ow ofelectrons takes place between the electrodes 121 and 122, thus closingthe gap between these electrodes and causing a minute flow of currentthereacross. This current is amplified by means of a pliotron tube 123which amplifles this minute current and renders it useful. A sensitiverelay 124 is incorporated in the circuit and acts to close the relay 72from which connections are made to terminals 125 and 126 on a suitableterminal board. 'Ihe construction and operation of the unit thusdescribed is more fully set forth in my aforesaid co-pending applicationto which reference is here made for a more detailed description thereof.It is believed sufiicient for the present purposes to say that actuationof the -photo-electric cell by light impinging thereon close's the relay72 which in turn actuates a selector switch now to be described. V

The selector switch includes a series of contact points and a continuouscontact member 131. A wiper contact 132 is employed for electricallyconnecting the continuous contact 131 with a selected one of the contactpoints 130. The arrangement shown in Fig. 8 is such that the outgoingline is connected to the sixth contact point of the series 130 andconsequently the wiper 132 will have to be moved to position where itwill bridge the space between the continuous contact 131 and this onecontact point of the series 130.

Movement of the wiper 132 is effected through a ratchet 133 which isrotated, step by step, by a pawl 134 secured to the armature 135 of amagnetic coil 136. The arrangement is such that .the armature 139 of'terminal 156 ofthe line 151.

when the magnetic coil is energized the armature will be attracted .andthus cause movement of the pawl 134 with a consequent rotation of theratchet 133 one step in a clockwise direction. The armature 135 isnormally held away from the core of the magnetic coil 136 by a suitablespring 137. Y

The ratchet 133 is held in any position to which it is rotated yby a dogor detent 138 formed on 'I'his arrangement is ture 139 and thus withdrawthe dog or detent 138 from its engagement with the ratchet 133.Thereupon the ratchet 133 is restored to its initial position throughthe action of a spring (not shown) against which it was rotated.

The electric circuit for energizing the magnetic coil 140 is completedthrough the action of a slowto-release relay designated by the generalreference numeral 141. This relay comprises a magnetic coil 142 having acore 143, the lower part of which is surrounded by a sleeve or bushing144 of commercially pure copper. An armature 145 is pivoted at 146 andis provided with a contact arm 147 provided with a pull spring 148 whichtends'to keep the armature 145 out of contact with the core of the'coil142. The action of the slow-to-release relay above described is suchthat the armature remains attracted to the core for a predetermined timeafter the coil 142 has been de-energized by the breaking of the electriccircuit, thus delaying for the selected period of time the contact madeby the arm 147, as will be more fully described when the circuits aretraced.

Referring now to the wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. 8, the incominglines 150 and 151 are connected to a source of, potential. In the caseshown, D. C. is used; but it is to be understood that A. C. may be use dby suitably altering the type of apparatus employed. As thephoto-electric cell 25 is actuated by a reflecting spot, the contacts ofthe relay 72 are momentarily closed. thus closing a circuit from theline 150 to the terminal 125 and through the contacts of relay 72 to theterminal 126. Y

Starting now with the terminal 126, the circuit will be complete throughterminal 152, to 153, through the winding of the magnetic kcoil 136, toterminal 154, to terminal 155, and back to Therefore, the magnetic coil136'wil1 be energized and will attract the armature 135 which wiil'causerotation of the ratchet 133 one step in a clockwise direction andthereby moving the wiper 132 from its initial position to the firstofthe series of the contact points 130. This same cycle will be repeatedeach time a reflecting spot on the stickers passes the photo-cell 25. Inthe present case the outgoingl line 157 is connected to the sixth of theseries of contact points ,130 and the outgoing line 158 is connected tothe continuous contact 131. Hence, when the wiper has been moved to aposition whereit establishes contact between the member 131 and thesixth ofthe series of a second magnetic coil 140."`

such that when the magnetic coil 140 is energized it will attract thearmathe magnetic coil 136 is energized, the coil 142 of the relay willalso be energized.

'Ihe reference numeral 160 indicates a contactor comprisingcontactpoints 161 and 162 which are normally held open by a member 163attached to-and movable-with the wiper 132. As the wiper is rotated themember 163 is also rotated thus permitting closing of the contacts 161and 162. Thereupon another circuit is closed as follows: From terminal164 on the line 150, through the contact 161, to 162, to terminal 165connected to the member 147. Since the coil 142 of the slow-to-releaserelay is energized, the armature 145 is attracted to the core of thesaid coil and will remain so attracted for a period of one second afterthe coil has been deenergized,

this result being obtained by means of the copper sleeve surrounding thecore of the coil. Now, when the armature 146 is released, the member 147will make contact with the contact point 166 thus completing the circuitto the terminal 167 of the magnetic coil 140, through the winding of thesaid coil to the terminal 168 and back to the line 151 at the terminal156. Thus, the magnetic coil 140 will be energized, attracting thearmature 139 and thereby withdrawing the dog or detent 138 fromengagement with the ratchet 133 and permitting the latter to return toits initial position, as hereinbefore described.

It is understood that the slow-to-release relay 141 is set to operateone second after the circuit has been broken. Therefore, if the timeinterval between reflecting spots on the stickers is equal to the timerequired for the magnetic coil of the relay 141 to release the armature145, the magnetic coil 140 will be energized to release the ratchetwheel and thereby permit the wiper 132 to return to its initialposition. Hence, the time if,

interval between reflecting spots on the stickers must be a little lessthan one second. This, however, is suihcient time as the selector switchis destined to operate at a speed of ten impulses per second.

While I have in the foregoing description referred to the actuation ofthe deiiector of a single deflecting station, it will be understood thatin actual practice, a plurality of deecting stations will be provided,each having a defiector and actuating mechanism as heretofore described.Thus, with the impulse system there will be a selector switch at eachdeflecting stationwhich will be actuated by a predetermined number ofelectric current impulses. Each deilecting station, whether the impulsesystem or the system employing different colored stickers is used, willinclude a photo-electric cell for rendering the deiiector at the stationoperative and a second photo-electric cell for rendering the deilectorinoperative. With each system the unlatching photo-electric cell willoperate in the same manner, that is to say, through the actuation of asingle marker of a color common to all the stations in the system.

As a further modification, and to increase the numbers of deilectingstations in the system, the

.colored stickers or markers may be placed at different elevations onthe commodities. For example, a colored sticker such as that illustratedin Fig. 3 can be placed on the commodity in a position below that whichit occupies in Fig. 3. It follows that an additional set of stationscould then be provided each having a latching and an unlatchingphoto-electric cell positioned to respond to the colored sticker at suchlowered elevation. In so enlarging the system it will be necessary toadd a second unlatching cell similar to as above described.' 'I'he two(or more) unlatching photo-electric cells would be -connected inparallel so that actuation of either of them would operate a relaysimilar to the relay '13.

Other modifications will readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art without departing` from the scope of the invention as defined inthe following claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a branch conveyer leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyer, and means for actuating said transferring means,said actuating means comprising a pair of photo-electric cellspositioned at relatively different elevations with respect to saidconveyers, one of said photo-electric cells being actuatable to rendersaid transferring means operative and the other to rendersaid-transferring means inoperative.

2. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a branch conveyer leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyer, and means for actuating said transferring means,said actuating means comprising a pair of photo-electric cellspositioned at relatively different elevations with respect to saidconveyers, one of said photoelectric cells being actuatable to rendersaid transferring means operative and the other to rendersaidtransferring means inoperative, and means carried by the commodities andpositioned to aline with said photo-electric cells for actuatg saidcells.

3. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a

plurality of branch conveyers leading therefrom, means for transferringcommodities from said main conveyer to said branch conveyers, and meansfor actuating 4a selected transferring means, said actuating meanscomprising a pair of photo-electric cells responsive to different colorsfor rendering the selected transferring means operative and inoperative.

'4. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, means fortransferring commodities from saidmain conveyer to said branch conveyers, and means for actuating aselectedI transferring means, said actuating means comprising a pair ofphoto-electric cells responsive to different colors for rendering theselected transferring means operative and inoperative, and means ofdifferent colors carried by the commodities for actuating saidphoto-electric cells.

5. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, means at each branch conveyer fortransferring commodities thereto from said main conveyer, and means foractuating said transferring means. said actuating means comprising apair of photoelectric cells at each branch conveyer, one of the cells ofeach pair being responsive to a selected color for rendering a selectedtransferring means operative and the other cell of said pairs beingresponsive to a common color for rendering all of said transferringmeans inoperative.

6. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, means at each branch conveyer fortransferring commodities thereto from said main conveyer, and means foractuating said transferringtmeans,

said actuating means comprising a pair of photoelectric cells at eachbranch conveyer, one of the cells of each pair being responsive to aselected color for rendering a selected transferring means operative andthe other cell of said pairs being responsive to a common color forrendering all of said transferring means inoperative, and means carriedby the rst commodity of a consignment for actuating said photo-electriccells.

7. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, means at each branch conveyer fortransferring commodities thereto from said main conveyer, and means foractuating said transferring means, said actuating means comprising apair of photo-electric cells at each branch conveyer, one cell of eachpair being actuatable to render its associated transferring meansoperative and the other to render it inoperative, and means carried bythe commodities for actuating one of said cells to render a selectedtransferring means operative and means also carried by the commoditiesfor actuating certain others of said cells for rendering all the othertransferring means inoperative.

8. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a branch conveyer leadingtherefrom, normally inoperative means for transferring commodities fromsaid main conveyer to said branch conveyer, means actuated by aplurality of electric current impulses for rendering said transferringmeans operative, and means actuated by a single electric current impulsefor rendering said transferring means inoperative.

9. In'a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, normally inoperative means for transferringcommodities from said main conveyer to said branch conveyers, andphoto-electrically operated means actuatable by a predetermined numberof electric current impulses for rendering a selected transferring meansoperative.

10. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, normally inoperative means for transferringcommodities from said main conveyer to said branch conveyers,photo-electrically operated means actuatable by a predetermined numberof electric current impulses for rendering a selected transferring meansoperative, and photo-electrically operated means actuatable by a singleelectric current impulse for rendering said transferring meansinoperative.

11. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, normally inoperative means for transferringcommodities from said main conveyer to said branch conveyers,photo-electrically operated means actuatable by a predetermined numberof electric current impulses for rendering a selected transferring meansoperative, and means carried by the commodities for actuating saidphotoelectrically operated means.

12. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom, normally inoperative means for transferringcommodities from said main conveyer to said branch conveyers,photo-electrically operated means actuatable by a predetermined numberof electric current impulses for rendering a selected transferring meansoperative, photo-electrically operated means actuatable by a singleelectric current impulse for rendering said transferring meansinoperative, and means carried by the commodities for actuating saidphoto-electrically operated means.

13. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, a plurality of branchconveyers leading therefrom,

means for transferring commodities from saidl said main conveyer to saidbranch conveyers, and

means for actuating said transferring means, said actuating meanscomprising a pair of photo-electric cells at each branch conveyer, onecell of each pair being actuatable to produce a predetermined number ofelectric current impulses for rendering a selected transferring meansoperative, and the other cell being actuatable to produce a singleelectric lcurrent impulse for rendering said transferring meansinoperative. and means carried by the commodities for imparting to thefirst-mentioned cell a predetermined number of light impulses and forimparting a single light impulse to the second-mentioned cell.

15. In a conveying-system, a main conveyer, branch conveyers leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyers, a photo-electric cell at each branch conveyer,means for imparting a plurality of light impulses to said cell, and

a selector switch associated with said cell and said transferring meansand actuatable by a predetermined number of electric current impulses torenderits associated transferring means operative.

16. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, branch conveyers leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyers, a photo-electric cell at each branch conveyer,means for imparting a plurality of light impulses to said cell, aselector switch associated with said cell and said transferring meansand actuatable by a predetermined number of electric current impulses torender its associated transferring means operative, and a secondphoto-electric cell at each branch conveyer for rendering saidtransferring means inoperative.

17. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, branch conveyers leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyer, and means for actuating a selected transferringmeans, said actuating means including a photo-electric cell, means forimparting a plurality of light impulses to said cell, means forconverting said light impulses to electric current impulses, and aselector switch associated with said cell and said transferring meansand actuatable by a predetermined number of electric current impulses torender its associated transferring means operative.

18. In a conveying system, a main conveyer, branch conveyers leadingtherefrom, means for transferring commodities from said main conveyer tosaid branch conveyer, and means for actuating a selected transferringmeans. said actuating means including a photo-electric cell, means forimparting a plurality of light impulses to said cell, means forconverting said light impulses to electric current impulses, and aselector switch 5 associated with said cell and said transferring meansand actuatable by a predetermined number o1' electric current impulsesto render its associated transferring means operative, and a secondphoto-electric cell at each branch conveyer responsive to a single lightimpulse for rendering said transferring means inoperative. l

MARTIN J. ANDERSON.

